Derek grew up in Shreveport, LA. He came to know Christ during his college years through the ministry of the Louisiana Tech Wesley Foundation. He graduated form Louisiana Tech University in 1997 with a degree in aviation (a perfect degree for ministry!). He married his wife Jamie in November of 1997, and today they are proud parents of their daughter, Mackenzie.

Derek is a graduate of Asbury Theological Seminary and has been at First United Methodist Church, Shreveport, since 2002. He currently serves as an associate pastor. He loves watching movies with his family, cycling, reading, and laughter.

Erik Rasmussen

Director Connect Group, Singles, Counseling, & Marriage Ministries

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Jonathan Jackson

Keyboard/Vocals

Jonathan was born in San Antonio, but moved frequently depending on where the Air Force stationed his father. His love for music began early on. He grew up watching his mom play the piano and his dad sing. Around age 10, he joined the choir at his church and thus began his journey with music. Altogether, Jonathan has been singing and playing instruments for around 30 years. His primary instrument is the piano; however, he also knows how to play the guitar, bass, drums, and (his initial instrument) the trumpet. After high school, Jonathan went to college briefly, but decided to join the Army. He was part of the 25th Infantry Division for 3 years where he was stationed in Hawaii. The most interesting place he traveled to in the Army was Japan. Jonathan has a really cool job! He works as a Lieutenant for the CSI Department of Bossier Parish. He also is married to the beautiful Michelle Jackson, has 3 beautiful daughters: Leah, Lexie, and Aubry, and 2 energetic stepsons: Miller and Grady. In his free time, he enjoys watching movies, watching tv, spending time with his family, and being outdoors. We are so blessed to have Jonathan as part of our worship team!

Jessica Baker

Vocals

Jessica was born in Odessa, TX and raised here in Shreveport, LA. She has been singing even before she could really talk. In fact, as a child, Jessica loved singing so much that she never left home without her red Playskool cassette player that had a yellow microphone attached to it so she could sing to the mixed tapes her mom made for her. In addition to singing, Jessica plays the guitar and a little piano. In 2010, she graduated Magna Cum Laude from LSUS with a degree in Marketing. For 6 1/2 years, Jessica was in a cover band called The Groove Agents that played at various local and out of town venues. She has tried out for American Idol twice and even recorded a demo in Nashville in 2008. In her free time, Jessica enjoys fishing, working out and running, hunting, and camping. She has been singing with the FaithLink Worship Team for 3 years now! We are so happy to have her as part of our wonderful community & look forward to seeing the ways God will continue move in her life!

Roger Barnes

Audio Engineer

Roger is a Shreveport, Louisiana native and graduate of LSU Baton Rouge school of business. He has lived and worked as a keyboard player/vocalist in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Nashville.His touring credits include Canada, with the Red River Revel; Norway, with Dennis LaCorrie of Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show, and Mexico, with The Hamilton, Ontario Arts Festival. Roger is also a recording engineer producer, who has worked on albums by Dorsey Summerfield and the Polyfonics, Seva May (former Miss Georgia) ,bluesman Buddy Flett and The Red River Revel Louisiana State of Mind artist compilation album, featuring Kenny Wayne. He is also the recording engineer for the Human Metronome-a classical cello duet, featuring Ruth Drummond of the Shreveport Symphony and Paul Christopher of Northwestern State University. Roger currently lives in Shreveport and performs as a solo artist and keyboardist for Jazziana ,as well as being an audio engineer for the contemporary service of First United Methodist Church.

Daniel Colosimo

Bass Guitar

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Henry Edwards

Violin

Henry plays the violin for FaithLink, but he can also play the viola, guitar, tenor banjo, and flute. He has been part of the FaithLink Team for 12 years now, but has been playing the violin for 41 years. Henry’s mom is a retired music teacher, so music is something that his whole family is passionate about. In college, Henry obtained a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Violin Performance. Currently, in addition to playing for FaithLink each Sunday, Henry is a violinist for the Shreveport Symphony and works as the Membership Director for Red River Radio. In his free time, Henry loves to go on walks before work each morning, play chess and card games, cooking, and watching basketball on t.v. He has a cat named McWayne who is his much loved companion. We are so blessed to have Henry as part of our community and are thankful for all he contributes to our worship service each week!

Bob Holladay

Vocals

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Carrie Irvin

Vocals

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Jerry Lee

Electric Guitar

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Collin McDonald

Drums/Percussion

Collin started off playing the guitar, but realized he enjoyed playing the drums more. He has been playing the drums for 12 years now. Currently, Collin is a teacher at Ruston High School. In his free time, Collin enjoys playing golf and other sports and hanging out with his friends. At Tech, he has been a cheerleader for two years now (last year he was the mascot) and he is also a member of the 2014 orientation staff. Collin has been playing the drums/percussion for FaithLink for about 7 years now! We are so blessed to have him as such an integral part of our worship team and look forward to all the many wonderful things God has planned for him.

Mark Mitchell

Lighting

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Chris Williams

Vocals

Chris has been singing on the FaithLink worship team since 2017. He has been singing in church most of his life. In fact, he was in a church band with his mother and sister when he was 13. In addition to singing, Chris also plays the drums. Chris has a B.S. from Louisiana Tech University and attended SMU for 2 years. He has a beautiful wife, Melissa, and together they have three awesome kids, Trevor, Ainsley, and Emma. In his free time, Chris likes to exercise, deer hunt, and golf. Chris's favorite scripture is Proverbs 3:5-6, and his favorite worship song is By Your Side by Tenth Avenue North.

Eric Sullivan

Visual Media

Eric has been running visual media in FaithLink since 2015. In addition to running media, Eric plays desktop percussion, air guitar, provides deep background silent harmonies, and is always prepared to provide witty suggestions. He has a B.A. in Journalism from Louisiana Tech University and has lived in Shreveport since 1992. Aside of his silent musical contributions and mad media skills, Eric enjoys triathlons, karate, travel, and spending time with his incredible wife, Vicki. His favorite scripture is Philippians 4:13, and Revelation Song by Kari Jobe is his favorite worship song.

Connect. Grow. Serve. Lead.

FaithLink is the contemporary worship service of First United Methodist Church in Shreveport, Louisiana

Service time is 11:00 AM on Sunday morning in the Emmett Hook Center located at 550 Common St., Shreveport, LA